Conservative activist Andrew Hemingway plans run for NH governor

By JOHN DiSTASOSenior Political Reporter

CONCORD — Granite State Republicans will finally have a candidate for governor starting Thursday night.

Bristol high-tech entrepreneur and conservative activist Andrew Hemingway will announce his candidacy at an event in Manchester, a source close to Hemingway’s fledgling campaign told the New Hampshire Union Leader.

.Hemingway, 31, will make the announcement at a “Solutions First” rally at The Yard Restaurant at 7 p.m., an event organized by a “Draft Hemingway” political action committee that organized about a month ago...He is expected to file paperwork organizing a campaign committee on Friday.

Republicans have been without a candidate to take on Democratic incumbent Maggie Hassan as she seeks a second term.

Last year, two top potential contenders, state Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley of Wolfeboro and state Sen. Andy Sanborn of Bedford, took themselves out of the discussion. Also, Manchester attorney Brad Cook considered running before deciding against it in November...Hemingway, who is married and a father of two, is the former chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire and was state director for former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign during 2011, leading up to the January 2012 first-in-the-nation primary...About two months ago he was approached to run by New Hampshire Republican National Committeewomen Juliana Bergeron.

Hemingway is expected to focus on a fiscally conservative agenda during his campaign.

According to the Draft Hemingway group, Hemingway is expected to discuss “how innovative, solution-based ideas will allow New Hampshire citizens to live free” at the Thursday night event...jdistaso@unionleader.com..